T Hood

Best wishes to everyone in the area. Thoughts and prayers to Phil and his family. Thanks to him for all that he does to provide a wonderful experience to his guests. Entrepreneurs pursuing their passions are a rare breed these days. Let's do our best to support him in the future.

I went out to Unger this morning and tried to fish from the bank. Nothing. I did see a huge Bighead Carp carcass and several other dead fish on shore. What's going on with this place? The other dead fish were either shad or silver carp. Sorry, I'm not good with telling small silver carp from big shad. I did see quite a few fish jumping, and, I know we don't want Asian Carp in our waters, but, when you see quite a few dead fish, it's got to raise a few questions. Anyone else noticing anything similar?

I'm looking for bass, crappie, or anything that'll bite. I'd love to get down to the trout streams, but, that's a bit of a hike and getting more expensive thanks to the gas prices. Creve Coeur Lake is larger than Mallard. CCL gets quite a bit of activity from the rowing clubs (Wash U, SLU, etc). Mallard is just south of it along the running path. I have fished there and done well. But, as you say, it's going to be another couple of weeks before the water gets warm enough.

Gentlemen: Has anyone fished the lake in Unger Park? Just discovered it. I've fished Simpson, Suson, and Tilles. Just looking for a good place to fish close to home. With the weather we're having I was expecting for activity. However, with the water up and looking like a bad cup of coffee, I'm fit to be tied as to where to have a productive day of fishing and what to throw. Any ideas are welcome. Regards,

Nice looking fish. Two in a day this far south; well done. Glad you had a good time, and kudos for playing peacemaker. You've added another Illinois lake to my "to go" list. Many thanks.

I feel the same way. Went to Ft Myers, FL last summer. Played a newer Davis Love III designed course; very nice. Heard from one of the locals that residents can fish the network of hazards around the property; very cool, I thought. Also heard there were several Florida - strain Largemouth in the system; doubly-cool. Was then warned that if you land a nice fish, and an alligator comes out of the bushes and wants it; it's best to give it to him. Talk about a buzz kill!! I had visions of 7-10# bass out of a golf course water hazard only to have them dashed by visions of an alligator with an attitude taking my catch!! Won't be packing the extra rod in the golf bag!

When the boats can come out, I plan on giving it a go with big inline spinners, swim baits, and buck tails. I hope these "southern fish" follow the similar patterns as back up north. If you've caught one out at Lake 35, please reply and let us know bait and conditions when you caught it. Mostly, I've found they like to prowl around weed beds and are attracted to quite a bit of vibration, noise, and color. The forage in Michigan is mostly smelt and perch. What do they eat here? Shad? Please advise.

Gentlemen: I'm interested in knowing more about Klondike Park Lake in Augusta, MO. Please let me know if you've fished the lake and the experience you had. Thanks, Troy

I'm not sure how deep Lake 21 is at that point. I'm guessing 12 - 14'. But, again, I'm not sure.

"The Beast" Lite was catching the anglers. "Berkeley's Best" was catching the fish. I wasn't equipped with "Berkeley's Best" (aka Powerbait), so I lost out on the party. Regardless of how it was attracted, there was more than a bit of skill to bringing in this fish on 2# line. Lots of patience, for sure. Not 30 minutes before, a beaver had made its way across the lake and dove with a big tail slap. When this fish was hooked, it came up and made a similar noise. I thought our pal, the Beaver, was back for round 2. Looking at the bend in the rod, it was obvious that the beaver didn't make that noise. As stocker fish go, this one was very big and very healthy.

Gentlemen: This one wasn't mine. But, in the interest of providing decent "fish porn" for the Chief and to share the photos with the angler who landed this 4-5# fish on 2# test, here are the dirty details.

If you're a bass guy, I'd agree with the light spinning set up. I made the decision this year to go with a longer rod on my ultralight set up and it's paid off. I use a 6' ultralight w/ 4# fluorocarbon line. Not knowing much about the White and the Spring, catching up with a guide would be more than advisable. As far as river/stream smallmouth, it's not the same as dropping Texas-rigged 10" worms like you do in the Texas lakes. My experience with Smallmouth has been with suspending jerk baits and tubes. This spring, I plan on giving the "float and fly" method a try (throwing a small hair jig under a float). However, for best results, I'll bow to Chief Grey Bear for sage advice on catching river smallies. For trout, marabou jigs, trout worms (3"), and small suspending jerk baits are good. I've recently picked up a Trout Magnet kit (www.troutmagnet.com) and have had some reasonable success. It's an interesting system and not expensive. I think it's great that you're spending your spring break on new water and having a bit of an adventure. Best of luck to you!!

Mic: I've only fished BSC once (and caught hell from the wife for going there, I might add). But, it was tremendous. I still have very little clue what I'm doing, have never touched a fly rod, but plan to go again as soon as possible because it reminds me so much of the streams and rivers I visited growing up in Michigan. (Minus a ton of Pine trees!). From where I stand, share what you are willing to share. Not to hijack the thread, but, I'm studying for the PMP exam right now. If you have any tips for a budding PM, send me a message. I'd enjoy the chance to exchange info offline. Troy

Thanks everyone. I'm going to be on the bank. No boat yet. Alton Lock & Dam is sounding new and interesting. I know all about Taneycomo, for sure. But, that's a 3 1/2 hour drive for me. So, not practical right now. I can get to BSC in an hour. That's always an option. Good idea on hitting the local lakes and going out to Busch. I saw Lake 33 had "Crappie Bed" signs up the other day. I'll just have to get out and give it a go. Thanks again,

Gentlemen: Looking for a little advice. Now that most of the urban trout have been decimated by the well-meaning and the poachers, I'm ready to transition to the rivers and lakes. But, as an admitted rookie to STL area fishing, I'm looking for advice on where to fish and what to go after in late Feb and early March. Any ideas are welcome. Thanks,

I may try to hit BSC on tomorrow's holiday if the rain holds out. Thanks for the pics.

That is a very good time!! Glad to hear he enjoyed himself.

Congratulations!! Where were the best places?

I went out there today just to check things out. People are catching fish. Powerbait in Lake 21. Lake 24, for being small, was loaded with trucks in the lot. May go out tomorrow; I may not. It's just not the same as November. Would I be better off getting a pass from the wife and heading to St. James?

With all of this wonderful weather, how are things in St. Charles County? Is it worth a trip out? Or have the so-called "Cheese Bandits" fished all the trout from Lakes 21 & 28?

Has anyone been out to Busch lately? What's the ice situation like with the break in the weather? Please advise. TH

Gentlemen: Thanks for the link to your site, Mike. I'll be checking it out. I just saw a piece on Bass Pro's TV show about swim jigs. They seem to be a very versatile lure. What are your favorite trailers/colors to use in the spring?

Welcome. Lots of information available here. The fly fisherman here know their stuff. I'm glad to hear you had a good time spinning at the "springs". What were you throwing there that gave the best results? FYI, I live east of the MO River and I know where Wentzville is located. Not all of us are clueless.

Sorry I screwed up the last post. The place is Jefferson Lake. I had a moment of Presidential confusion. I went out again today and scored five in a couple of hours. Three were on floating worms (pink was the color of the day), and two on yellow/red Panther Martin #1 spinners. I saw some commotion up the bank during my visit. A fellow angler landed an old grizzled monster of a Rainbow. He measured 23.5" and 13.5" around. Weight was six pounds.He landed the fish on a Blue Fox Flash spinner. The real killer of this story is that he said this was his first trout. Hell of nice way to break in! My fault for not getting your name, sir. But, here's you and your fish for all to see.

Gentlemen: Thanks for the advice. I would up with 6'6" UL rod and matching reel. Cabela's was nice enough to keep the cost down with a sale. It's strung with 4# fluorocarbon and does a nice job of getting the light stuff out into the lake or stream. I plan on using this quite a bit past trout season. It'll make a good rod for crappie as well. Regards,